Pneumatic trigger-pull for firearms.



A. BOYNTON.

PNEUMATIC TRIGGER PULL FOR FIREARMS.

Patented Mar. 18,1919.

i SHEETS-s115511.

APPLICATION FILED JULY I6. I9l8. 1,297,535.

alexander A. BOYNTON.

PNEUMAHC TRIGGER PULL FOR FmEARn/ls.

APPLICATION FILED IULY I6. ISIS. I 1 ,297,535. Patented Mar. 18,1919.

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W/T/VESSES A. BOYNTON.

PNEUMATIC TRIGGER PULL FOR FIREARMS.

APPLICATloN msn JULY 16.1918. Y.

'. Patented Mar. 18,1919.

7 SHEETS-SHLET 3.

exander mwN/ /4 TOR/VEYS A. oYNToN. l PNEUMATIC TBIGGER PULLFOB FIBEARMS.

APPLICATION msn JULY |6`. ma. Patented Mar. 18.1919.

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WIM/8858 baum/ff; lexanderogmton j 5%@ g A. BOYNTON.

PNEUMATIC TRiGGER PULL FOR FIREARMS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 16.1918. 297,535., Patented Mar. ,18, 1919.

7 SHEETS-SHEET A TTOR/VE VS A. BOYNTON. PNEUMATIC TRJGGER PULL FOR FIREARMS.v APPLICATION FILED JULY 16.1918.

Patented" 1131.18, 1919.

.IIIIIl a Armen/frs Y WIT/1158858 MJM UNITED lsin rrjns .PATENT OFFICE. y

' ALEXANDER BOYNTON, OF THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL ARMY..

f PNEUMATIC TRIGG-ER-PULL FOR FIREARMS.

YSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 18, 1919.

Application iled July 16, 1918. Serial No. 245,189.

` pneumatically actuated mechanism for operating the trigger or other projectile discharging apparatus of a firearm, which enables an internal application of the operating force, thus preserving the equilibrium .of the irearm irrespective of how suddenly or vigorously the operating force is applied.

Another object of the invention is to pro-l vide a pneumatically actuated fire 'control mechanism by means of which a single operator is enabled to controlan entire battery of machine guns or automatic rlies.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pneumatically actuated trigger oper-` ating mechanism which enables the .controlling of a complete battery of machine guns from a distance. and further enables the setting lof machine gun traps by concealing one operator and as many machine guns 1n each battery as may be desirable.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pne'umaticallyVV operated trigger actuating mechanism which liberates the right hand of the operator and enables more completecontrol and attention tothe operation of the gun.

A `further-object of the invention is to pro-j q-vide a pneumatically actuated trlgger oper-'\ ating mechanism for small arms of the type that are fired While held in the hand, Which enables the irir of the firearm wlthout disturbing the polse or causing the wabblmg 'of the sight on and off the target by the muscular effort usually employed to pull the trigger. a

A further object of the invention is to provide a pneumatically actuated trigger operating means for'firearms whichrprevents the accidental discharging of the firearm.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view showing how a battery of machine guns is control e the disposition of therubbe'r tubing, hollow wires or metal tubing being such as to -enable the individual control of the guns,

Fig. 2 is a detail view of a portion of a machine gun showing thetirst form ofthe invention applied,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the grip of the same gun illustrating the-embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 4 is a detail'view of the diaphragm holding cup,

d by a single concealed operator,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the grip of a machine gun on the same order as illustrated in Fig.j3, `showing the embodiment of the second form of the invention,

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view of the4 diaphragm holding'cup Fig. 7 is a slight modificationof the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 6,

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view of the stock of a small arm illustrating the em- '1 bodiment of the third form of the invention, Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail view of the vstock illustrated in Fig. 8,

Fig. 10 isa sectional view 1llustrating a part of the vacuum cup disassembled,

Fig. 11is a detail sectional view showing how the air tube is clamped inplace,

Fig. `12'is a detail view of the trigger pull adjustment link, l

Fig. 13 is a detail side elevation of the' A stock of a small arm illustrating the arrangement of the fourth form of the invention, F ig. 14 is a cross `section on the line 14-14 of Flg. 13,

Fig. 15 vis a perspective view ofthe vacuum cup embodiedY in the stock shown in Fig-1,3. v

Fig. 16 is aperspectiveview of the vacul um cup showing it arranged to be operated by air pressure and to. constitute the ith form of the invention. y U

Fig. 17 is a sectional View illustrating a modification wherein the mechanism is op.

erated by air pressure,

Fig. 18 1s a sectlonal view showing the vacuum cup illustrated in Fig. 7 re-arranged to be operated by air ressure and to constitute the sixth form o the invention,

',Fig. 19 isa Side elevation of a Vickers 'the operation thereof by compressed air,

Fig. 20 is an enlarged detail sectional l view of the parts shown in Fig. 19,

Fig.. 22 isa side elevation of a Chauchat the eighth form of the invention which is Aa slight modification 0I the fourth form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 14 to adapt it for operation by compressed air,

Fig. 23 is .a sectional view, the-parts of the viewheing intended to be read togetherl ,on the, lines u b,

Fig. 24 is a longitudinal section on the line 24- -24 of Fig. 23, v

1" Fig. 25 is a detail side elevation illustrating the application of the ninth form of' the invention to a Chauchat machine gun, this form of theinvention being a further slight modification over the third form illustrated Fig.'26 is a sectional view of the invention,and

Fig.'27 is a plan view thereof.

In carrying out my invention I have arranged the mechanism to' enable it to be operated on two general principles, namely, by suction which maybe produced either by the mouth,..of. an operator or by a vacuum pump, and air pressure .which may be produced either'by the moth'of an operator or 'a suitable air compression'pump. In carry- `lng out this. arrange \,ment.-,f` definite object has'been held in .view .lforms of the invention wherein the trigger. is pulled by the suction actuated mechanism, are adapted -more particularly to small arms that are fired when held in thev hand and to machine guns, etc., when operatedsingly or On the other hand, the air pressure actuated trigger operating mechanism is adapted more v particularly for automatic rifles, machine guns, and all other kindred types of' firearms that are intended to be operated in large batteries. Tl1e advantage o applying the air pressure actuating principle in such instances, .and as illustrated in Fig. 1, will readily become apparent. Where long lines of rubber tubing are employed, some of the tubes are likel to kink or become mashed. Obviouslyby blowing into the tubes'or by applying compressed air by some other means, the obstruction will become opened.

Should it be attempted to operate the guns in such instances on the vacuum principle,

-obviously the suction in the tubes would tend to cause them to collapse still more and thus only aggravate the obstruction. For this reason, 'and the further reason that compressed air is mechanically more vconvenient to operate, the pressure actuated principle principle is preferably -employed in the conmachine rifle illustrating the application of nection just stated, because it is humanly more convenient, as well as more sanitary to apply the necessary force by suction than by l compressed air.

tion is first 'to the first, second, f third and fourthfxforms iniwhich areillustrated p The vacuum actuated principle.

The first form' of the invention is shown embodied in Figs. 2 to 4, wherein it will be observed that the vacuum cup V is mounted' in anyv suitable manner in thegrip 1 of a machine gun 2. The vacuum -cup consists of a base 3 and a top 4. The base 3 is prac# tically solidvand has an annular flange 5 spaced in a short distance from the periphery and adapted to occupy the correspond.- ing annular recess 6 in the top 4 when the two parts are fitted and clamped together as illustrated in the drawings. A dia phragm 7 of some suitable flexible material 1s clamped between the flange 5 and the top 4l as clearly illustratedin Fig. 5. The diaphragm acts as a pistoipl. l f

An opening 8 in the top 4 accommodates the stem 9 which at tlie lower end is fasten-` ed to the diaphragm or piston by means of the nuts 10 and cla-mp plates 11 on the opposite sides of the diaphragm. The-upper end of the stem 9 is' pivoted to one .end of an actuating lever 12. which in turn is fulcrumed in such a position with respect to the sear 13 on the inside of the gun, that -upon the collapse of the diaphram 7 the teat.

oil' :at an angle toward the bottom andout ple which is adapted ,to be taken into the mouth of the operator and drawn upon so as to cause the collapse of the diaphragm 7 as just explained. Single shots of the machinel gun 2 are obtained by drawing quickly upon the nipple so that the diaphragm. 7 is caused to vibrate accordingly.

The machine gun is made to fire continu'- ouslyy by drawing on the nipple and then pinchingk the tube together wlth the teeth or lingers so las to maintain the vacuum in the tube connecti-on and the chamber beneath the diaphragm. `The diaphragm is 'thus held in the collapsed position and the same result is thus obtained as it would .be were the trigger 14pressed upon steadily.

The second form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7, merely differs in the shape of the vacuum cup V. In Figs. 5 and 6 it will he observed that the vacuum cup is disposed diagonally across the grip 1 With the elbowed teat 15 extending straight down and out. For purposes of manufacture and installation7 this arrangement may be better than that illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, but otherwise the mechanism works the s-ame. The modification illustrated in Fig. 7 simply consists in the reshaping of the vacuum cup V which in the present instance is'intended to be cylindrical. Furthermore, the vacuum cup is disposed in a different position in the grip 1 and the stem 9 which is connected to the actuating lever 12, is much shorter. So far as described, the vacuum actuated principle of the invention is employed in machine guns. As stated before, this may readily he done .where the machine guns are operated either singly or in small groups. Large groups or batteries of machine guns are not 1ntended to be operated Von this principle. It' is intended primarily to use the vacuum actuated trigger operating mechanism in connection with small arms in the manner substantially as illustrated in the third form of the invention in Figs.v 8 to 15.-

In Figs. 8 and 9 it will be observed that lthe vacuum cup V is mounted in an excavation under the butt plate 17 which includes the side flange 18 and is arranged to close the recess 19 in which the vacuum cup 1s f situated. In this third form of the invention, the diaphragm 7 is held in place.

gether with the diaphragm, is pressed. The top 4 is then screwed down so that when the p-arts are assembled and the trigger pul-l adjusted theyap-pear 'as illustrated in Fig. 9. Before screwing the top 4 down, ra paraliin paper washer 2OEL is fitted on topI so as to secure various leverages on the trigger 14 when the trigger wire 22 is connected therein. The actuating lever 12 it will be observed, is fulcrumed on a bracket 23 which extends forwardly from the base 3 of 'the vacuum cup.

Bores 24 and 25 accommodate the trigger wire 22 and the suction hose 16 respectively. An air line elbow 26 extends forwardly from' the base of the vacuum cup V .and is provided with a plurality of circular grooves near the end so that; the fabric of the tube may sink therein and form a tighter connection. The front end of the suction hose-16 is connected to one end of an' elbow 27, and the continuation of the hose at the other end of the el'bow extends out of a groove 28 in the stock of the gun.

stance is provided with aplurality ofe'holes A clamp 29 holds the elbow and air hose .over the air hose and is adjustable along the length of the air hose so that it may he elevated more or less laccording to the position of the ring on the hose. When the ring is moved nearer the clamp 29, the free end of thehose will be correspondingly higher so that it may more readily be reached by the operator of the gun. nipple shield 31 consists simply of a bore in the gun stock into which the nipple end of the hose 16 may beslipped in order to .protect it when it is desired that the nipple be not exposed.

The tension of the trigger wire 22 is maintained through the agency of an adjustment link 32 which includes the adjusting screw 33. A notch 34 in` Ithe front end of the trigger 14 receives a correspond-V ingly shaped .lug 35 on the head of the screw 33. The trigger wire 22 is connected to the link 32 as plainly shown in Fig. 8.`

It will be readily understood that the proper tension of the trigger wire is maintained through the medium of the' screw 33 andthe link 32.

The actuating lever 12 may if desired, be arranged with an extension below the bracket 23 so that instead of operating the device by suction as this form of the invention is intended to be operated, it may be operated by A compressed air. To enable this to properly done,sl1ght changes 1n the positlon and arrangement of the diaphragm will be necessary.

In Figs. 13, 14 Iand 15, the fourth form of the invention operates in the same manner as the forms previously described, although the structure i-s somewhat different. The vacuum cup V occupies a recess 19 at the side of the gun stock. The diaphragm 7 is clamped in place between the base 3 and the top 4 by means of a pair of. diaphragm clamp studs 36. The clamp studs 36 in the presentl instance are made integral with the base 3 and are formed with concave portions 37 in the regions adjacent to the separation between the base and the top, so as to accommodate screw on the studs 36 and clamp the vacuum cuprin position in therecess 19.

he actuating lever 12 in the present instance, is in the form of a bell crank which.

is pivoted :at the elbow'on the top 4. The trigger wire 22 may be connected in any one of the series of holes in the upper part of vthe bell crank, while the other arm of thebell 'crank' is pivoted to the stem 9 which clamped to the diaphragm 7 similarly as 1n the other forms of the invention. Upon drawing lightly on the suction hose 16, the diaphragm 7 lis madeto collapse and rock the actuating lever 12 on its piv-ot so as to pull the wire 22 and consequently actuate the trigger similarly as is done in the form shown in Fig. 8.

` The air pressure principle.

By reversing theJ position of the actu-ating i ,lever 12 as is done in Fig. 16, the trigger wire 22 may be made to pull the trigger 14 upon blowing into the air tube 1.6 instead of drawing on it. In this fth form of the invention, the diaphragm 7 and washers 11 l are reversed in position as will readily observedin Fig. 16. The remaining structure in Fig. 16 is identical with that in Fig. 15. In Fig. 17, the diaphragm 7 carries a short tulbe 40 over which the end 41 ofthe air 'tube 16 is connected. On blowing intothe tube 40, the diaphragm 7 is distended, causing the trigger wire 22 to pull on the trigger.

The tendency of the tube 40 to lean toward the trigger duel to the tension of the trigger wire is arrested by thepulley.

In this form of the invention, the wire runs overa pulley 42,'which is mounted on a bracket 23 over the vacuum cup V. The

end of the wire 22 is connected to the tubev 40 by means of asmall hook 43. In its other respects the construction in Fig. 17 is substantially like that shown in some of the other forms of the invention.

The sixth form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 18 is arrived at by simply reversing the parts illustrated in Fig. 7. It will ,bel

observed that upon blowing into the hose 16, the diaphragm 7 will be distended so as t0 rock the actuating lever 12 on its pivot and move the `sear 13 similarly as is done as in the case of Fig. 7 where the actuating lever 12 is operated when the diaphragm 7 is made to collapsel by suction.

The modification Illustrated im, Fz'gs. 19, 20

. and 21 the hose 16 which leads to the ,hose connection 45. It will be observed by a comparison of the reference characters, that the parts of the seventh form of the invention are somewhat like the parts in Fig. 9.

The diaphragm or piston 7 is connected through the stem 9 to the Iactuating lever 12 which as shown in Fig. 20, is mounted on a fulcrum pin inside of the base 3. The hose connection 45 opens on top of the diaphragm 4and when the diaphragm is actuated by air pressure from thepump 44, it moves/downwardly and rocks the actuating lever 12 on .its fulcrum. The free arm ofthe actuating lever 12 works in the head of. a trigger bar connection 46. This trigger bar connection extends forwardly and out of 'a slot 47 in the bottom edge of the base 3, where it is provided with a lug 48. This lug 48 is connected in' any suitable manner with the operating mechanism of the machine gun as generally indicated. in Fig. 20.

The .modwam a Figs. e3 ma al,

'49 is interposed between the free en of the lever and the pull wire.22. It will .be ob-v served in Fig. 24 that the tension adjust-lg screw includes the turn buckle 50, 'and a l1 the wire 22. The hose 16'whichl vin this in# stance is also connected' to a pump .4-4, `1s joined to the' hose connection 45 beneath the diaphragm or piston 7.- The diaphragm 7 moves upwardly under the influencel of air pressure pplied beneath the diaphragm and .51 is interposed between the turn buckleand The modycatz'on n F igs. 25, 26' and 527 is similar in many respects to the third form of the invention illu-strated in Fig. 9 and constitutes the ninth form of the invention. In Fig. 26, the actuating lever 12 is' fulcrumed on the bracket 23 and the free end of the lever which is Vequivalent to the free end ofthe lever shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9, is joined with the Aadjusting screw 49 which has a turnbuckle 50 with a rearwardly extending portion to which the notched end of the lever is directly connected. The telescopically arranged handle 52 aifords a ready means of making quick and convenient adj ustments.r The operation of the ninth form of the invention will be readily understood without further description. Air pressure under the diaphragm or piston 7 rocks the actuating lever 12 on its fulcrum with the result that the trigger bar connection 46 is Iactuated similarly as in the preceding seventh and eighth forms of th'e invention.

The operation.

Although it is thought that the complete operation of the two forms of the invention is fully understood from the foregoing, a brief review thereof may be to advantage. Small arms that are fired when held in the h'and, are operated most eii'ectively by using the suction principle. In this connection, attention is directed to Fig. 8 which shows a typical form of the invention.

The operator grasps the gun firmly in both hands and takes aim. In the meantime he leo' has taken the nipple end of the hose 16 into his mouth vand when the sights are on the target, he draws iightly on the nipple. The suction thus created in the vacuum cup V causes the diaphragm 7 to collapse, pulling on the stem 9, rocking the actuating lever 12, and pulling the tri ger wire 22 and trigger 14 so as to release the cartridge firing mechanism. Should it be desired to temporarily remove the 'hose 16 so as to form no impediment to the-handling of the gun, the nipple end is simply tucked into the nipple shield 31 from which it may be iiipped instantly.

It has been stated that in iirng the gun by the method and through the mechanlsm just'described, the gun ma be irmly grasped with both hands and by a l of the fingers of both hands. In the present types of guns, after the sights are once gotten on thetarget, there is always a tendency to disturb the poise of the gun and consequently cause the sights to wabble` on and oil' the target, by the muscular effort exerted through the arm and hand in pulling the trigger. This device liberates thetrigger finger which is worth more in ointing than any other'two fingers thus ena ling the gun to be grasped more rmly by the right hand and adding greatly to the quickness and accuracy of aim. Obviously the likelihood. of liring the gun accidentally is very remote.

One of th'e great advantages of-the invention is gotten in the use of the pressure operatingprinciples, where one operator is assigned tocontrolan 'entire `battery of machine guns. Such a battery may consist of one hundred or more machine guns, each being supplied with ay magazine of ten thousand cartridges and furthermore arranged to be operated by the automatic fire distributer herein mentioned, which could produce a complete barrage un'der the control of a single operator. The lastcartridgein the magazine could be loaded with nitro-glycerin 'and used to blow up the gun to avoid its capture when the ammunition is exhausted. Thus, one man could defend an extended front vand a retreating force would be permitted to fall back with the sacrifi of but few operators. l

T he fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth forms of the invention4 illustrated in Figs. 16, 18, 19 to 21, 22 to 24, and 25 to 27 respectively, simply constitute a change in the arrangement of certain of the par-ts in the preceding forms of the invention and a reversal of the mode of operation. n or iston 7 instead of being moved under the in uence of suction is moved under the influence of .compressed air. The cooperating lever and other necessary connections are so arranged that the various types of machine guns to which the various forms of the invention are applied, may be operated by embodying the particular style or form of the invention intended for that particular purose. P Another important feature in all of the4 forms of the invention is that of the application of the firing force on the interior of the gun, with the consequent result of complete eradication of fthe tendenc to destroythe equilibrium of the gun in ring. It willbe gathered from the foregoing, that externally applied ypower to lire guns is wrong, as 1t necessarily disturbs the poise of the gun and cau-ses the sights to Wabble off the target. The pneumatic trigger pull principlehereln The diaphragm described, is correct, because by this method .of the pneumaticallyv actuated trigger pull device as herein described and claimed, is that'of a generally preferred' form, obviously -With -a manual trigger, and having pneumatically actuated means operatively .connected with fthe ring mechanism and not with the trigger, '-to normally actuate said firing mechanism independently of the trigger, leaving said trigger unobstructed for the free application of the finger for manual opindependent of finger pressure, on the maneration of the firearm at ltimes When a pneumatic impulse cannot be conveniently applied to said firing mechanism by said means.

2. Pneumatic-ally operated means for actuating the firing mechanism of a gun independently of the manual trigger, comprising an adjustable connection operatively lconnected at one end to said firing mechanism, and a suction or air pressure movable diaphragm, joined to the other end of said connection, leaving the trigger free for manual operation.` j

3. In combination with the firing mechanism of a firearm, means operatively connected to said .mechanism, foractuating it ualtrigger of said mechanism, said means comprlsing a diaphragm arranged to eXp-and or collapse by the application of compressed air 0I' the creation of a vacuum therebeneath, connections between said diaphragm and sald j operating mechanism, vand adjusting means embodied in said connections.

4. A firearm, comprising pneumaticallyoperated firing mechanism, including a 'removable leXlble mouthpiece, and means for temporarily housing said mouthpiece when not in use, said means comprising in combinaltion, the gun stock providedV with a groove and bore, an outlet elbow in the gun stock forming the attachment connection between the mouthpiece and said pneumatically operated mechanism, said mouthpiece partly occupying said groove and being adapted for insertion into thel -bore for protection, means for clamp-ing the velbow down, and means for adjusting the elevation of the mouthpiece, including a movable ring.

5. In a,V firearm, having a finger pressure operated firing' mechanism, a diaphragm, operating connections between said diaphragm and said firing mechanism including a pivoted actuating lever having a pivotalconnection at one end' to a carried portion of the diaphragm, ymeans for clamping the diaphragm in position including a va uum cup base, a top having an opening, a clam ring with an annular groove, for houslng the folds in the clamped edge of the diaphragm, anda, Washer between the top and ring for preventing the mutilation of the edge of the diaphragm; a hose connection leading from said base and communicating with a space beneath said diaphragm, and'means for clamping said hose in place.

6. Instrumentalities enabling the controlling of the firing of an entire-battery of firearms by a single operator comprising,l in

combination,l a plurality of firearms disposed over an extended front, firing mechanism embodied in each of the firearms, air pressure operated means including a diaphragm having connections with the firing mechanism in each of the firearms, and hose connections leading from each of said air pressure operated means to a single point.

' ALEXANDER BOYNTON. 

